If It Feels Good Do It

 

How does one determines right from wrong; good from bad; positive from negative. More and more of America has made the transition from making choices based on objectivity, logic, order, and preconceived standards to making choices based upon “interpreting the current situation”, “relational balance” and “context.” For many, this means that “right and wrong” no longer exist as clear lines of distinction. It has allowed the excuses for indulgence in the sixties to become the standard for decision-making in the new millennium. How many are familiar with the following:

• You only go around once in a life

• Are we having fun yet?

• Grab all the gusto you can get!

• What have you done for me lately?

• If it feels good do it

When it gets out of control we might use other clichés like:

• I couldn’t help myself

• The Devil made me do it

I present short blogs, long blogs, blogs of correction and reproof, and some that make you feel all warm and cozy. Not all my blogs are feel-good blogs though they seem to be the ones people itch for. That is not what I'm here for. I write what I am given and surely I will step on some feet and lose people along the way. So be it. The “feel good” philosophy of our day runs like a thread through almost every aspect of culture; including church! But Jesus may have something to say about that. Jesus may have something to say against that. Jesus may have something to say that isn’t … popular. That in itself is ironic since being unpopular means it won’t make us feel good which means we may reject it outright without hearing him out. So be it I guess. Doing what feels good often leads us down a path of ruin. We discover that life might be better understood by seeking a different mechanism for making choices than “If it feels good do it”. Jesus offers an alternative to the quest for sensual gratification that drives our culture and it is illustrated in the demonic man who was conquered and rescued in the book of Mark. The issue of demonic control (sin’s control over a human) is a very serious issue. It is one the Church must acknowledge and address. Mark introduces us to “Satan” in chapter one. Matthew and Luke call the enemy the Devil (Accuser). Mark calls him “Satan” (adversary). This understanding of the enemy can be seen in nearly every page of the Gospel he writes. For that reason, I will call him Satan (the Adversary) in this blog as well.

From the earliest introduction to evil in the Bible, we discover that: Satan desires to control, manipulate, and ruin people. Satan has no noble motives. Satan will use whatever tools we make available to him to trap us. As sobering as that is, there is “Good News!” That is why Mark wrote his Gospel – showing us Jesus’ defeat of the adversary and Jesus’ deliverance of those within the adversary’s grip. The Bible says that Satan should not get an advantage over us and for that reason, we are not ignorant of his devices. (2 Corinthians 2:11). To understand Satan's ability to trap us we must understand a few things first. ONE: Becoming trapped is a result of the choices we make. TWO: At some point, in some way, we flirt, invite, and participate in sinful practices. THREE: Satan merely seized the opportunities and openings that we give him -Satan cannot force himself on us -we must be open to his presence. But, as I said, as sobering as that is, there is “Good News!” There is a Deliverer from sin’s grip. There is only ONE deliverer from sins grip … Jesus Christ. But that ONE is enough. I know because He set me free! Our free-will decisions to carry living-out sin almost always involves the lie "if it feels good do it”. That "thinking" was my mindset when I chose to sin. When a person chooses to follow Jesus (His Word and its instructions) a subtle, yet powerful, transformation of our decision-making process begins to take place. The Holy Spirit teaches any new convert not to follow his “instinct” or emotion but to submit to a higher standard … obedience to God’s known will. Notice I said HE TEACHES US, it is not something we have the power to accomplish on our own. This understanding of “costly service” as opposed to “comfortable service” is laid out very clearly throughout the remainder of Mark’s Gospel.

People seem to gravitate to that which is comfortable and easy. It takes a deep commitment to Christ to overcome such a position. Sometimes we would rather not be disturbed even if it is for the better. Sometimes we do not want to be disturbed because it shows our misplaced loyalties and misplaced priorities. When it comes to the welfare of a human or wealth, society seldom sides with the human being. Many people see the presence of Jesus as a discomforting presence that they want dismissed. It is difficult to follow Jesus because he demands (and empowers) a higher standard.  Christian people (and congregations) that acquiesce to an “if it feels good do it” philosophy are ineffective for the Kingdom. The Church, and thus the Christian testimony, are in jeopardy of becoming completely irrelevant because of our inclination towards a man-centered Gospel … a Gospel which focuses on what Jesus will do for you. That is an important part of evangelism but we must never allow the convert to remain a victim of seeking immediate gratification. You see, evangelism starts where people are at and with what they can relate to. Throughout the Gospels, people came to Jesus with selfish motives and he received them gladly—but then, if they were to follow Him, they had to leave their selfish motives and follow in obedience and love. Modern-day "Christianity" has ceased to ask people to leave their own patterns of self-gratification. Instead, we spin everything to focus on how it will make them “feel good” or “improve their quality of life.” That is not the whole Gospel of Jesus but with some preachers and believers, it has become their entire focus. To be fair, I believe the spirit of Jesus dwells within The Church and I see encouraging evidence of divine correction, but still many gravitate towards flesh-centered motives.

The call of God in discipleship is to holiness, self-sacrifice, and service. It is not a “bless me O Lord” kind of faith. It is not an “if it feels good do it” relationship.

When the Gospel and discipleship are properly understood it all comes down to the primary character -- Jesus Christ. PERIOD! Jesus Christ never operated from or promoted an “If it feels good do it” ethic. Never. This is illustrated in all Jesus did and explicitly addressed in chapters 8, 9, and 10 of Mark's gospel. "And whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:44-45). Again, Jesus Christ never operated from or promoted the “if it feels good do it” ethic. In fact, Jesus delivers us from its trap just as he did the demoniac man with the unclean spirit.

Our society, like many societies, has reduced itself to a quest for gratification, and the more instant the better. But Jesus calls us away from that. I'm speaking to Christians. This is my calling. It is not to the world, but to The Church. Just like Esau, some of us neglect our rights and responsibilities as the children of God, the inheritors of an eternal kingdom, in order to follow our desires and pleasures wherever they lead. We tend to trust our appetites, our desires, believing they will lead us to happiness, to satisfaction, that if we do what we want to do, what we most deeply and strongly desire to do, then we will be glad. That's a lie wrapped around a profound truth, really, for, of course, the deepest desires of the human heart are all ultimately directed at God. Our desire for perfect happiness, perfect contentment, perfect pleasure, perfect peace - really, we desire Heaven. We desire communion with God. We are called to gauge our desires according to the teachings of Christ and His Church, allowing higher wisdom than that of our feelings, our desires, to guide us. 

Until He Comes,

-Pat-